How to Get a Federal TTB Permit
A complete guide to federal alcohol licensing for breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
What Is a TTB Permit?
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the federal agency that regulates the production, labeling, advertising, and marketing of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Before you can legally produce, import, or wholesale alcohol, you must obtain the appropriate TTB authorization.
There are three main types of TTB authorizations for producers:
- Brewer's Notice — Required for all breweries producing malt beverages (beer, ale, lager, etc.)
- Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) Permit — Required for distilleries and spirits producers
- Bonded Winery Permit — Required for wineries producing wine
Importers and wholesalers require a separate Basic Permit under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act.
Who Needs a TTB Permit?
Any person or business that intends to:
- Manufacture beer, wine, or spirits for commercial sale
- Import alcoholic beverages from another country for commercial distribution
- Wholesale alcoholic beverages at the federal level
- Produce alcohol for tax purposes (even for experimental or research purposes)
Home brewers and personal winemakers are generally exempt from TTB licensing if they produce only for personal or family consumption and do not sell their products.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type
Before applying, determine which permit applies to your business. A craft brewery needs a Brewer's Notice. A distillery needs a DSP permit. A winery needs a Bonded Winery permit. If you plan to both brew and distill on the same premises, you may need multiple permits.
Step 2: Register on Permits Online
TTB uses an online portal called Permits Online (TTB.gov) to process all permit applications. You must create an account before submitting an application. The system allows you to track your application status and receive notifications.
Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation
The exact documents vary by permit type, but typically include:
- Business entity documentation (articles of incorporation, LLC operating agreement, partnership agreement)
- Personal background information for all principals (owners with 10%+ ownership)
- Floor plan of the premises
- Lease or deed for the production facility
- Description of operations (what you will produce, equipment list)
- Federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
Step 4: Complete Background Investigation
TTB conducts a background investigation on all applicants and principals. This includes a criminal history check. Certain criminal convictions related to liquor law violations may disqualify an applicant.
Step 5: Await TTB Review
Processing times vary. In recent years, TTB has aimed for:
- Brewer's Notice: 60-90 days
- DSP permits: 90-120 days
- Bonded Winery: 60-90 days
Complex applications or those with questions may take longer. TTB may request additional information ("deficiency letters") during review.
Step 6: State and Local Licenses
A federal TTB permit does not replace state or local licenses. You will also need to obtain a state license from your state's alcoholic beverage control (ABC) agency, and local permits from your city or county. Many states require the federal permit before they will issue a state license.
Fees and Costs
TTB permits themselves are generally free — there is no federal application fee for Brewer's Notices, DSP permits, or Bonded Winery permits. However, costs include:
- Excise taxes on production (federal excise tax applies to beer, wine, and spirits)
- Legal fees if you use an attorney (many applicants do)
- State licensing fees (vary significantly by state)
- Bond requirements for some permit types
Common Application Mistakes
- Incomplete background forms — All principals must be listed; missing one causes delays
- Inadequate floor plan — The plan must clearly show the bonded premises boundaries
- Starting operations early — Producing before receiving your TTB authorization is a federal violation
- Wrong permit type — Producing spirits under a Brewer's Notice is a violation
After You Receive Your Permit
Once approved, you must:
- Pay federal excise taxes on production on a regular schedule
- File operational reports with TTB (monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on production volume)
- Maintain accurate production and inventory records
- Get label approval (COLA — Certificate of Label Approval) before distributing products
- Notify TTB of significant changes to your operation (location, ownership, equipment)
Frequently asked questions
Where does this data come from?
All figures on this page derive from official federal data — primarily the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Department of Labor. We cite the underlying agency and series in the methodology section. No proprietary aggregators are used.
How often are figures updated?
Each series follows its own publication cadence. We refresh our database within 30 days of each upstream release. Specific update timestamps appear in the page footer where available; the methodology page documents the cadence per data series.
Can I use this data for my own analysis?
Yes. The underlying federal data is public domain. Our presentation, calculations, and editorial commentary are licensed for individual reference. For commercial republication or large-scale data extraction, contact us at the email listed on the contact page.
What if the figures here disagree with another source?
Different sources use different methodologies, definitions, geographic boundaries, and reference periods — disagreement is normal and informative. Our methodology page documents exactly which series and reference period we use for each metric, so you can reproduce or audit the figures against the upstream agency directly.